Garcia Calls for Permanent Safeguards for the Great Bend of the Gila

Adriana Garcia, a member of the Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council, is advocating for the preservation of Arizona’s unique landscapes. As an outdoor enthusiast and native Arizonan, Garcia highlights the state’s diverse public lands. A recent 2024 Conservation in the West Poll shows that 87 percent of Arizonans support the creation of national parks and wildlife refuges.

Despite this strong public backing, some Arizona representatives are attempting to revoke the designation of the Baaj NwaavjoI’tahKukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. This effort also targets the Antiquities Act of 1906, a crucial legal framework that empowers the president to protect ecologically and culturally significant federal lands by designating them as national monuments.

The Antiquities Act, often criticized as federal overreach, is, in fact, a democratic tool for conservation. Most national monument proposals originate from local communities or coalitions advocating for specific protections. This process is far from arbitrary, contrary to claims made by detractors.

Among the areas in need of protection is the Great Bend of the Gila, located between Phoenix and Yuma. Despite its proximity to urban centers, many remain unaware of its historical significance, which includes tens of thousands of petroglyphs and a diverse cultural legacy that spans Native American, Spanish, and Euro-American influences.

The site is spiritually and culturally significant to at least 13 federally recognized tribes. However, the area’s rich biodiversity and cultural heritage face threats from vandalism, urban sprawl, and reckless behavior. Garcia recounts her disheartening observations during a recent visit, where she witnessed littering and vandalism that disrespected both the land and its history.

Establishing the Great Bend of the Gila as a national monument could enable better management of these landscapes. This designation would enhance efforts to combat littering, cultural desecration, and development encroachments. Protecting this area would honor Indigenous connections, acknowledge its historical value, and expand recreational opportunities for the public.

Garcia commends U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva for introducing the Great Bend of the Gila National Monument Establishment Act. She urges Congress to pass this bill and calls on President Joe Biden to utilize his Antiquities Act authority if legislative action does not occur. The preservation of this vital landscape is essential for future generations.